The internet is a vast source of information. We can find phone numbers, driving directions, local businesses, and much more. Beyond the basics, we can use the internet for educational and cultural purposes. Many libraries (including NPL), archives, museums, and historical societies are undertaking digitization projects, which allow people from all over the world to view some of their holdings. Some organizations, such as ours, might post historical photos or books to their websites; others may create online exhibits. We can look at interesting and historic materials from the comfort of our homes. This is especially beneficial to the intellectually curious and to students who cannot physically make the trip to places such as the Library of Congress or the Countway Library of Medicine, which is currently featuring The Stethoscope Sorority: Stories from the Archives for Women in Medicine. As March is Women's History Month, this exhibit is especially timely.

The Countway Library, which is the library for the Harvard University School of Medicine, created the Archives for Women in Medicine in 2000 "to capture and preserve the untold history of the many women who have helped change the face of medicine in the United States. This exhibition highlights materials from the AWM that illustrate women’s experiences as mentors, pioneering researchers, healers, and strong voices speaking out for their beliefs. Using their own words, the exhibition presents stories from some of the women of the AWM and the people who have helped contribute to their successes." The collection is a great resource for anyone interested in women’s history or the history of medicine.

The Stethoscope Sorority: Stories from the Archives of Women in Medicine is the online version of a display that was exhibited at Countway from March to September 2006. The website offers introductory information and explanatory captions that place the items in context. When you visit this site, you will see digitized images of photographs, telegrams, letters, and other objects. Clicking on the images will enlarge them. Not only will you be able to read letters and telegrams--some written close to 90 years ago--you will also notice details such as the creases and tears in the paper. The documents and other tangible items help us understand the expereinces and struggles of women in medicine and thier contributions to the field. This and other online exhibits* are fantastic resources becuase they make history more relatable.

*This search is an example of the women's history exhibits available on the web; however, I cannot vouch for the quality of all of the millions of results returned in this Google search. Remember, you should always evaluate websites when you are looking for information.